Dec. 10, 2001

Duquesne University's head women's volleyball coach Steve Opperman has announced the signing of Jessica Eckert (New Bremen, Ohio/New Bremen), Stephanie Hopkins (Tonawanda, N.Y./Sweet Home) and Diana Wuebker (St. Henry, Ohio/St. Henry) to National Letters of Intent for the 2002 season.

Eckert, a 6-0 outside hitter, led her squad to an 18-5 record to earn Co-MAC championship team honors. The MAC and District 8 Player of the Year earned first team all-Ohio and all-conference honors as a senior as well a first team all-conference and all-district as a junior. Eckert, a four-year letterwinner, also letter in basketball as a prep and is a member of the National Honor Society.

Hopkins helped lead her high school team to a 17-1 record this past season and to the 2000 and 2001 state championship. An all-state selection, the 5-9 outside hitter was also lauded as an All-Western New York selection and to the all-conference team as a sophomore. Hopkins competed for the Cheetah Volleyball Club as well.

Wuebker, a 6-1 middle hitter, lead her squad to back-to-back MAC Championship crowns as a junior and senior going 20-5 and 18-6 overall respectively. A first team all-conference, all-district and All-Ohio honoree, Wuebker competed in the District 8 All-Star Match in 2000 and 2001 and was named a Gatorade Will to Win Athlete. The two-year varsity letterwinner also competed in basketball as a prep where she earned first team all-conference honors and was a member of the National Honor Society.

Duquesne finished 16-10 overall, 8-8 in the Atlantic 10 this past season marking the team's most wins since the 1996 season. At the conclusion of the year, Coach Opperman was lauded as the Atlantic 10 Co-Coach of the Year while senior Sherene Lemonias was tabbed to the All-Conference team.